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DNS redundancy

(also Domain Name System redundancy)

DNS redundancy definition

DNS redundancy refers to having multiple Domain Name System (DNS) servers in place to ensure continued functionality in the event of a single server failure or a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack. Distributing DNS queries across multiple servers minimizes the risk of a single point of failure and improves the overall reliability and availability of the system.

See also: DNS server

DNS redundancy examples

  • Primary and secondary DNS servers: A primary DNS server holds the original DNS records, while the secondary DNS server maintains a copy of these records. If the primary server fails, the secondary server can continue resolving domain names.
  • Anycast DNS: Anycast is a networking technique that allows multiple servers with the same IP address to be distributed globally. When a DNS query is made, it is routed to the nearest server, improving response times and providing redundancy.

DNS redundancy benefits

  • Improved reliability: By distributing DNS queries across multiple servers, the likelihood of a single point of failure is reduced.
  • Enhanced performance: With Anycast DNS, users' queries are directed to the nearest server, reducing latency and improving response times.
  • Increased resilience against cyberattacks: DNS redundancy can help mitigate the impact of DDoS attacks by distributing the attack traffic across multiple servers.

DNS redundancy tips

  • Utilize both primary and secondary DNS servers to maintain an updated copy of DNS records.
  • Consider implementing Anycast DNS to improve performance and resiliency.
  • Monitor your DNS infrastructure regularly to detect potential issues and respond to them swiftly.